In a study that is not yet concluded, the Collegial Group of Fire Experts determined that
"sufficient evidence exists, even physically observable, to assert that a controlled, large-scale fire event of great size definitely occurred at the Cocula Dump."Additionally, it was determined that at least 17 adult human beings were incinerated at that place. These assertions are part of the investigations currently underway surrounding the disappearance of 43 Ayotzinapa students in events that took place September 26-27, 2014.
During a press conference held at the headquarters of the Attorney General's Office (PGR) in Mexico City, Ricardo Damián Torres, investigator certified in fire and technical evidence collection, speaking on behalf of the international group of fire experts, was charged with announcing the initial results of this expert study, according to Éber Omar Betanzos Torres, Deputy Prosecutor for Human Rights at the PGR.
Hours later, the alleged designation of Ricardo Damián Torres [to speak on behalf the Collegial Team] was challenged by the Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts (IGIE).
During the short meeting with reporters, which consisted solely of reading a statement out loud with no questions, Damián Torres said that the specialists have agreed to conduct more tests "in order scientifically to confirm the incineration of 43 adult human bodies."
In this context, Deputy Prosecutor Betanzos Torres said that
"in compliance with the objectives and deadlines established in the agreement for conducting the new study of the fire at the Cocula Dump, formalized on January 25, 2016—and with an agenda signed on February 12—last night the PGR and the IGIE received from the international group of experts the report about a possible fire on September 26-27, 2014.
"For six weeks, the panel—composed of six experts: John DeeHaan [sic], Frederick W. Mowrer, James D. Quintiere, Ricardo [Damián] Torres, José Torero and Mario Saldaña—analyzed if the conditions contained in testimonies and previous expert studies would allow determining the presence of fire episodes on this site, with the goal of scientifically fulfilling the investigative objectives in the so-called Iguala case."Betanzos Torres said:
"Carrying out this study complies with the agreements reached between the two bodies last October 20, 2015, during the public hearing of the Iguala case that took place at the headquarters of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, in Washington, DC."Then he noted that
"by consensus of the members of the panel of fire specialists, Damián Torres was designated to be their representative."[As reported earlier,] This designation was challenged by the IGIE, from the InterAmerican Commission for Human Rights.
The specialist [Damián Torres] pointed out:
"At the facilities of the PGR, the Collegial Group of Fire Experts delivered to Deputy Prosecutor Betanzos a sealed envelope that remained in his custody with the initial results of the third analysis of the fire that participants in this group were asked to conduct. The request came from the PGR and the IGIE.
"As the collegial group's representative, let me share with you the following conclusions:
"1. As a result of the various tests performed, it can be concluded that sufficient evidence exists, even physically observable, to say that there was definitely a controlled, large-scale fire event in a place called the Cocula Garbage Dump.
"2. The recovery of skeletal remains sufficiently corroborates the evidence and in exact agreement with the forensic teams from both the PGR and the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team, which allows determining that at least 17 adult human beings were incinerated on the site [see details below].
"3. We can establish an hypothesis about the conditions, amount of fuel, time and circumstances necessary for a massive burning of 43 bodies, such as indicated in the [formal, legal] statements by persons arrested for these events. However, this possibility will only be confirmed by a large-scale test."The fire expert group has agreed to undertake further tests in the coming weeks in order to scientifically confirm whether it is possible to carry out the burning of 43 adult human bodies. The results of those tests will be disclosed at the time.
This is the third expert study conducted by international experts at the Cocula Dump. The two previous studies rejected the possibility that anyone might have been incinerated there.
In September 2015, based on a study by [Peruvian] José Torero, the IGIE categorically ruled out the PGR's version that the students might have been incinerated at the Cocula Dump. The Peruvian specialist declared that it was "scientifically impossible" to incinerate 43 bodies there, because the site's environment is "most inefficient" for carrying out that action and 30,100 kilos [33.1 US tons] of wood or 13,300 tires would be required over a period of 60 hours.
On February 9, the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team announced the results of their studies. It asserted said that there was no fire in the Dump:
"The [PGR's] hypothesis that in early hours of September 27, 2014, there was a fire of the required magnitude and duration that it would have resulted in the mass incineration of 43 students is not supported."
MV Note: See also: "Argentine Forensic Team is Inconvenient Expert Witness for Mexican Government" (February 15, 2015).Spanish original